USES: Guaifenesin helps to loosen mucus. Phenylpropanolamine is a decongestant. This combination medication is used to relieve nasal congestion and symptoms associated with the common cold, allergies, hay fever, sinusitis and other respiratory illnesses.
HOW TO USE: This medication is best taken with a full glass of water after a meal or snack. The tablet can be broken in half. However, the whole or half tablet should be swallowed whole. Do not crush or chew the tablet before swallowing it. The long action will be destroyed and the chance of side effects will be increased. Do not increase your dose or take this more often than directed.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness or insomnia may occur the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. Should these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop: chest pain, a rapid pulse, skin rash, high blood pressure, tremors, nervousness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have: kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease, asthma, emphysema, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid, diabetes, glaucoma, prostate trouble, depression, any allergies. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. Also limit your intake of alcoholic beverages which will aggravate these effects. This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Since small amounts of this medication are found in breast milk, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may take, including: blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, indomethacin, MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchial passages become inflamed. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include frequent cough with mucus, lack of energy, wheezing, and possible fever. Treatment may require medication such as bronchial inhalers and predinsone. Supportive treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms with fever reducers, cough suppressants, and rest. Treatment may be more aggressive in patients with pre-existing conditions such as empyema, COPD, or cigarette smoking.
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and maybe a fever. Antibiotics have no effect upon the common cold, and there is no evidence that zinc and vitamin C are effective treatments.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
The common cold is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. The common cold is medically referred to as a viral upper respiratory tract infection. Symptoms of the common cold may include
cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold, with rhinovirus causing approximately 30%-35%
of all adult colds. Other commonly implicated viruses include
coronavirus,
adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and
parainfluenza virus. Because so
many different viruses can cause a cold and because new cold viruses constantly
develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this
reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, children in
preschool and elementary school can have six to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults typically have two...